Not what I had hoped

Returned from a trip to Ecuadorian highlands. Takes some getting used to being at 3,000 feet and being in jungle while the real uplands (we were 13-15K feet and still only partway up the mountains. The birds were fantabulous, the fishing no so much. Tried two rivers and up where we were they were very cascadie; stair steps of foaming water with tiny pockets of calm. In the first, there was a clear enough bank, with some bars, to cast. Did get a 9" fish lost as I tried to get pictures. The next stream was larger, not as stair stepped, but was jungle to the bank. While trying to approach a likely spot I fell and the lower section of my 1wt goes back to the maker for replacement and my 3pc rod is now a 4pc and two of the pieces don't connect. So, no fantastic fishing to report but it was a trip well worth it.

I have pictures. Will try post a few. Almost all are birds.

Have long appreciated brunette birds....

CM - I assume trout? What species?

Did you eat any bbq'd Cuy on this adventure?

It was a rainbow, probably redband. Largeish spots, deep body colors.

No Cuy, but most everything was good to eat. We stayed in small lodges, lots of "home cooking". We ate well.

And had some really funny stories about Cuy.

Cuy done right is fantastic! Unless you tell me a funny story that just ruins it.

If I ever went off grid, I'd definitely have a small Cuy herd for easy, easy meat. They're a perfect protein for an off-the-grid lifestyle.

One of the guides we ran into was from the Amazon. They ate fish, snake, grubs, etc. He tried Cuy and just was not edible, for him.

The funny one was when he (that guide) related that one of his clients wanted a latte so he inquired as to what type of mile she wanted. Cow, goat, Cuy? We then discussed the size of milking machine necessary to milk a herd of Cuy.

When we were in Australian (Queensland) we drove past a house that had a herd of them on the side of the road. Haven't seen them in subsequent visits so don't know what happened to them.

Looks like they cooked that poor bastard alive !
JF C

That'd give the kids nightmares.
And me too.

Funny how that "restless stir" diminishes with age. Especially the fishing part. Maybe because we've been there done that before. At least for me.

For me, it gets stronger. Just more selective about where I invest my time fishing/hunting. Quality first.

This.

Fish on...

Todd

I'm more worried about time running out before I can get to do everything I've always wanted to do. Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'. Grander Blue Marlin and trophy Moose hunts do cost many dollars though. Deer and bass for the middle class I guess...

I hear ya, Nick. The list is long and, some would think, bizarre. In February, if all goes well, I'll watch actual lava flowing up close. Check. Still have a bunch of fish to catch like Goldens, grayling, some Char, an Esocid, more cuttie subspecies (the Paiute and Greenback for sure), a bison, nice buck deer, and the like.

I have plans but the devil gets in the details. The trout, for example, would be taken in streams where they naturally reproduce. Perhaps it is my upbringing or warpedness but real trout (Macs being a big exception) don't live in lakes.... Guess I set sideboards but the planning is fun.

Yeah, the sand is draining out of the glass but my wife and I have been making a bunch of trips in our retirement that keep opening new options. And, our daughter, who we have followed to Costa Rica, Queensland, Tasmania ha been looking for work in Scotland, Finland, etc. Life is good!

If I was operating at Nick’s box-checking pack, I’d be especially worried.

Lately, I can only succeed by limiting my list.

Never limit the list because an un-looked for opportunity may arise.

Good story stam, you should write a book. You cant complain much.

Where in CR were you, Stam? We have been 4 times, mostly birding. And trout fishing in one of my favorite streams anywhere. We have mostly been in the northern half and have not often been near the Pacific. Fantastic country. We will be going back.

Next time we will probably be in the Arenal area. On our first trip we spent one evening in a big hot spring. Saw Arenal actually erupting. My seasickness might keep me off the Big Blue. There are some riotously colored spiny rays in the rivers. One fly guide takes folks out to get all these bright guys. Look to be about a foot long.

Haven't noticed any 'quakes but do enjoy the people.